FanDuel NHL: February 12 (Main)
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NHL: February 12 (Main) is a daily fantasy sports column focusing on the best FanDuel NHL player and value options for your daily lineups. The salary options are based on the daily salaries set by FanDuel. We’ll review the best options at each position, and help you afford an ideal lineup for your big FanDuel NHL paydays.
The NHL has six games slated this Sunday. Two games begin in the early afternoon, the Sharks visiting New Jersey at 12:30pm and Red Wings in Minnesota at 3pm. So FanDuel NHL has a ‘All Day’ slate. However, the tournament and cash options are limited, so we’re going to focus on the evening, or ‘Main’ slate of games. Here’s a look at this evenings schedule:
Avalanche at Islanders (6pm ET)
Stars at Predators (6pm ET)
Canadiens at Bruins (7:30pm ET)
Canucks at Sabres (7:30pm ET)
Before we review the top options for each FanDuel NHL lineup position, let’s review the FanDuel NHL scoring rules:
Forwards/Defense
- Goals = 12pts
- Assists = 8pts
- Shots on Goal = 1.6pts
- Short Handed points = 2pts
- Power Play Points = 0.5pts
- Blocked Shots = 1.6pts
Goalies
- Win = 12pts
- Goals Against = -4pts
- Saves = 0.8pts
- Shutouts = 8pts
Next: Top Centers
Top Centers
I had avoided Patrice Bergeron ($7,100) consistently in the early part of this NHL season. Bergeron had a horrendous start to the year, but in December Patrice began to heat up and after the start of the near year, Bergeron has exploded.
Cooling after yesterday with only 4.8 FanDuel NHL points, Bergeron has 13 double-digit FanDuel NHL point results in 18 games. That’s incredibly consistent. Also, Patrice has a high FanDuel NHL point ceiling, scoring more than 20 points in most of those games, and over 30 points seven times, including a 40.2 result against the Sharks on Thursday. So we’re going to pay up for a nice bounce-back game at home against the Canadiens tonight.
Calle Jarnkrok ($3,900) is a diamond in the rough value play. Jarnkrok is leading the Predators 3rd regular and 2nd power play lines and has been on fire lately. Calle has six double-digit FanDuel NHL games in Nashville’s last eight games. That’s incredibly consistent for someone only valued at a $3,900 salary. This pick should land us roughly 15 FanDuel NHL points and leaves plenty of salary on the table for some big plays at wing.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
Bergeron isn’t the only Boston Bruin on fire lately. Brad Marchand ($7,600) and David Pastrnak ($6,800) are each heavily involved in lighting up the lamp often for the Bruins in the last couple of weeks. Unlike most of the Bruins, Marchand is consistently having an overall good season. His success has continued as others have emerged around him.
Pastrnak has played out of his mind lately, scoring over 20 FanDuel NHL points in four straight games, and over 30 points in three straight games, before dropping to 21.6 yesterday against the Canucks. At some point the Bruins are going to cool off, but there’s no sign of slowing momentum yet, and it’s worth sticking with the B’s at home against the Canadiens today.
Like the Bruins, the New York Islanders have been on fire the last couple of weeks. Anders Lee ($5,400) and Ryan Strome ($4,600) have each had consistent double-digit FanDuel NHL games, until the Isles struggled against the Ottawa Senators yesterday. But they’re hosting a bad Colorado Avalanche team in New York today, and Lee and Strome should each bounce-back this evening.
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
Sticking with the Islanders, we’re going to grab Johnny Boychuk ($4,700) from the 1st line for one of our defender spots. Boychuk has been on the ice around 23 minutes, is getting around three shots off, and is averaging around two block shots per game. Johnny isn’t a lock every game to score 10+ FanDuel NHL points, but he’s a very consistent 8 point scorer and has three double-digit FanDuel NHL point results in the Isle last five games. With a favorable match up, at home tonight, we should see Johnny in the double-digit range again tonight.
Rasmus Ristolainen ($5,000) is a 22 year-old budding star for the Buffalo Sabres. Like Boychuk, Ristolainen is a consistent 8-10 FanDuel NHL point scorer and has been above 14 points in three of the last five Sabres games. The Sabres also have a favorable match up tonight at home, and Rasmus should land around 15-20 points for us tonight.
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
The Nashville Predators haven’t confirmed their starting goalie yet. Juuse Saros ($7,900) came into relieve Rinne last night after the Florida Panthers had already scored five goals through two periods. However, while Saros had 18 saves in relief, he also let two shots past the crease. But, given how hot the Panthers were last night, and the poor Preds defending, that was bound to happen.
FanDuel NHL appears to be tagging Saros as the starter in Nashville against the Stars. The Stars defending and goal tending has looked as bad as the Predators did yesterday, but on a more consistent basis. So this is a great match up for whomever is in goal for the Predators tonight.
For now, I’m assuming Saros. But we’re leaving enough cash on the table if we have to flip to Rinne later today. If we stick with Saros, consider flipping one of the value plays to a more expensive, and consistent option.
Next: FanDuel NBA Picks & Pivots
Always check NHL lineups throughout the day when playing FanDuel NHL. As a fan, you likely know the league isn’t overly forthcoming with injury news, and players are often scratched at the last-minute with little information. Also, goaltenders are never a sure-thing. Good Luck today FanDuelers!